A Complete Guide to The Ordinary Face Oils

The Ordinary has a large selection of face oils that address a variety of skincare concerns. These oils are high quality and low-priced, but with so many options, which oil should you choose?

In this complete guide to The Ordinary face oils, we’ll take a look at the ingredients and skincare benefits of each The Ordinary oil.

While each oil has a BEST FOR skin type suggestion, please note that all of these oils can be used by those with normal and dry skin in need of hydration and moisture, but not all oils will work for all skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin.

So be sure to take into consideration your skin type and skin concern when shopping for The Ordinary oils.

This post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information. While The Ordinary generously gifted me 100% Organic Virgin Chia Seed Oil, “B” Oil, 100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil, and 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil, any opinions expressed are always my own.

The Ordinary Face Oils Guide

Product	Targets	Benefits	Price
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil:	Dryness, signs of aging, dullness	Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, reduces photoaging, improves cell turnover	$10.90 for 1 oz.
“B” Oil:	Dryness, antioxidant-protection	Contains a blend of oils for moisture and skin barrier protection, antioxidant-rich	$11.10 for 1 oz.
100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil:	Dry skin, antioxidant protection, hair	Hydrates, moisturizes, antioxidant-rich	$11.00 for 1 oz.
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil:	Dryness, hair	Rich in antioxidants, soothes irritation, locks in moisture	$7.50 for 1 oz.
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil:	Dry, irritated skin	Rich in gamma-linolenic acid, soothes and moisturizes	$4.79 for 1 oz.
100% Organic Virgin Chia Seed Oil:	Dryness, hair	High in omega-3, anti-inflammatory, improves skin barrier, doesn’t clog pores	$8.50 for 1 oz.
100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil:	Dryness, dullness, antioxidant-protection	Rich in rare fatty acids, antioxidants, intensely hydrating	$16.50 for 1 oz.
100% Plant-Derived Squalane:	Dryness, hair	Lightweight, non-comedogenic, hydrates and softens skin	$10.00 for 1 oz.

A few notes about The Ordinary face oils:

• You’ll find that some of The Ordinary’s oil have natural scents since The Ordinary does not add any additional fragrance to their oils. This does not indicate rancidity.
• As with any new product, The Ordinary recommends patch testing before using their oils as a way to determine if you will have a negative initial reaction. Please see their Patch Test Guide on their website for more details.
• The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is actually oil-free but has oil-like qualities and is widely thought of as oil, so we’ll discuss it in this post, too.
• The Ordinary oils are water-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and vegan.

Cold-pressed extraction helps to preserve the benefits of this oil, as opposed to heat extraction, which can reduce the efficacy of actives in the oil.

Rosehip oil is extracted from the seeds of the rosehip, also known as Rosa Canina L.

The oil is rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, including linoleic (omega-6), linolenic (omega-3), plus fatty acid oleic acid, and antioxidants.

Antioxidants help to reduce photoaging, which is premature skin aging from sun damage (prolonged exposure to UV radiation), that may result in wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and other visible signs of aging.

Rosehip oil also contains pro-vitamin A, a precursor of vitamin A, which must be converted to its active form by the body. Vitamin A has important functions in the body and helps to improve cell turnover.

Rosehip oil has anti-inflammatory benefits and can help to reduce the look of reddened post-acne scars and hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.

Rosehip oil also strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

While you might think that rosehip oil is not good for oily and acne-prone skin, think again. Research has shown that acne patients have low levels of linoleic acid in their skin.

Rosehip oil helps to replenish this essential fatty acid and can help reduce the size of blemishes.

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is unrefined, so you may notice a natural earthy scent, which comes from the concentration of omega fatty acids.

The scent does not indicate that the oil is rancid. Actually, unscented and refined rosehip oil won’t be as effective as unrefined rosehip oil.

This facial oil is rich yet lightweight and doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy or oily. For more on this oil, please see my The Ordinary rosehip oil review.

This oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, which is helpful for acne-prone skin.

Related Post: The Best The Ordinary Products for Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spots

It contains a purified form of micro-algae with a blend of squalane and several oils: Marula, Argan, Baobab, Pataua, Brazil Nut, Inca Inchi, Rosehip, and Borage oils.

You get multiple benefits from a wide variety of face oils that offer moisturizing benefits and skin barrier protection.

These oils also contain antioxidants to protect the skin from oxidative stress and help to minimize the visible signs of aging.

• The micro-algae in the formula is Isochrysis Galbana Extract which is rich in nutrients and potentially has antioxidant properties.
• Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil is a plant oil and a silicone alternative that contains fatty acids to moisturize the skin.
• Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract offers antioxidant protection.
• Tocopherol, or vitamin E, is another antioxidant that offers photoprotection against UVB rays and soothes the skin.
• Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and astringent benefits.
• Bisabolol from Chamomile has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

The rich oil has a deep gold/green shade and has a light herbal scent due to the micro-algae in the formula.

Rich in fatty acids such as oleic acid at 73%, palmitic acid at 15%, and linoleic at 9%, this oil hydrates, moisturizes, and forms an occlusive barrier on the skin to lock in moisture, making it perfect for dry skin.

This oil is filled with antioxidants such as procyanidin, catechins, and flavonoids that protect the skin from UV radiation by neutralizing free radicals.

These antioxidants also rejuvenate the skin by helping to reduce the visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines.

Due to the high oleic acid content, marula oil is more comedogenic than some other oils.

This means that it is more likely to clog pores than other oils which could lead to blemishes and aggravate acne, so it’s not the best choice for those with oily or acne prone skin.

While lightweight and deeply hydrating on the skin, this oil pulls double duty and can be used on your hair as well.

It absorbs easily without feeling heaving and weighing down your hair or making it look greasy. Hair is left shiny and less frizzy.

Related Post: The Best The Ordinary Products for Dry Skin

The oil is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin E to protect against oxidative stress and environmental stressors and provide additional anti-aging benefits.

This oil is non-comedogenic, which means that it won’t clog pores. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritation and sensitive skin.

It forms a seal to lock in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss without being greasy.

The Ordinary notes that since the oil is 100% unrefined, there is a natural scent that does not denote rancidity.

This is another oil from The Ordinary that can be used on your hair to increase strength and impart a satin shine and softer locks with less breakage.

Related Post: The Ordinary Dupes for Luxury Skincare Products

The oil also contains other fatty acids like linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids.

This oil has a lightweight texture and a natural scent that might be a little strong for some. You only need a few drops, as it is richly moisturizing.

Borage oil is particularly helpful for those with dry, sensitive, and irritated skin. This is another very affordable low-priced oil from The Ordinary.

Related Post: A Complete Guide to The Ordinary Retinol and Retinoid Products

This oil contains the highest botanical concentration of alpha-linolenic acid, also known as omega-3 fatty acid.

Alpha-linolenic acid has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing benefits and can even help fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

The oil also contains linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid for additional hydration and moisture. Linoleic acid can be helpful for those with oily and acne prone skin.

You’ll also find alpha-lipoic acid, coumaric, and caffeic acid in the oil, which are antioxidants that help protect the skin against oxidative damage from UV exposure and help fight the visible signs of aging.

As a bonus, this lightweight organic chia seed oil may also be used on your hair to soften, strengthen, and add shine to your strands.

The oil has high concentrations of rare palmitoleic acid, also known as Omega-7, and multiple other fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid, palmitic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid.

These compounds offer reparative benefits for the skin.

You’ll notice the deep orange-red shade of the oil. This is thanks to antioxidants beta-carotene and lycopene, along with Vitamin E, which helps defend against free radical damage and protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

This oil has a natural, earthy fragrance since it is unrefined and contains a high palmitoleic acid content. This scent does not indicate rancidity.

This is an intensely hydrating oil and leaves your skin soft and smooth.

NOTE: The oil may discolor your skin, so if you use it undiluted, stick with a drop or two or mix it with other products like a moisturizer.

It’s best to use this product in the evening, but please note that it may stain fabric.

Related Post: The Ordinary Anti-Aging Skincare Review

Squalane is the stable version of squalene (with an e), a natural lipid found in the skin and an unsaturated hydrocarbon that is more prone to oxidation than squalane.

After around age 30, squalene production in our skin greatly decreases, which contributes to dry skin as we age.

Topical squalane is a super moisturizer that helps combat transepidermal water loss, helping our skin stay hydrated and soft.

The standout quality of squalane is its lightweight texture, which makes it ideal for all skin types, especially oily skin.

It’s also non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores, which can lead to breakouts and acne.

If you don’t love the feel of facial oils on your skin, consider giving squalane a try. You might just find that it becomes one of your new favorite hydrators.

The Ordinary’s squalane is 100% pure plant-derived, is ECOCERT approved, and is a USDA Certified Bio-based Product.

TIP: You can also use The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Squalane on your hair to prevent breakage, increase shine, and boost heat protection.

Related Post: The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Review

Like squalane, this plant-derived hemi-squalane helps to protect your skin against moisture loss.

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane is a non-polar hydrocarbon produced from sugar-based feedstock that has been fermented.

Hemi-squalane has a lower molecular weight than squalane, so it has a lighter and drier feel than squalane.

This extremely lightweight oil is fast absorbing and feels like a dry oil on the skin.

The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane is also ideal for hair. It helps to reduce frizz thanks to its ease of spreadability.

Related Post: Hemi-Squalane vs Squalane

How To Apply The Ordinary Face Oils

The Ordinary recommends applying their oils after water-based treatments, so apply face oils at the end of your skincare routine (but before SPF in your morning skincare routine).

You can apply a few drops on your entire face or just a drop on dry or problem areas.

As with all new products, be sure to patch test these oils before applying them to your face for the first time.

The Ordinary Face Oils

Hopefully, this The Ordinary oils guide has given you some ideas about which oil might work best for your skin since it all comes down to your skin type and how it responds to different types of oil.

The Ordinary’s low pricing makes purchasing in multiples a no-brainer, as most are under $10, and some are even under $5!

For a complete The Ordinary skincare routine based on your skin type, be sure to check out this post on how to build a skincare routine with The Ordinary. If you are just starting out, don’t miss The Ordinary skincare routine for beginners.

My Favorite The Ordinary Oils

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil has always been one of my favorite oils from The Ordinary, and The Ordinary “B” Oil is a newer favorite.

When it comes to weightless “oils“, The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is a great choice.

Thanks for reading!